Randy Griffith
rgriffith@tribdem.com
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Dr. Richard Kastelic saw the benefits of a personal care home after Alzheimer’s disease struck his mother and she could not remain in her own home.
But the well-known Upper Yoder Township physician has also seen how such homes could be better.
He plans to combine the existing strengths with his own innovations to make The Villa at Napoleon Place a true home for its residents who require an assisted living facility.
“This is something I want to do,” Kastelic said. “The whole concept is different. It is the way I thought it should be done.”
Kastelic will open The Villa later this month in the former Specialty Lifecare Services assisted living home in Johnstown’s Kernville neighborhood. The Welfare Department shut Specialty Lifecare in April 2009 for numerous violations.
City leaders are thrilled that Kastelic has taken on the project, said Ron Shomo, codes and permitting director.
“It is a beautiful building over there,” Shomo said. “We are very pleased. It is something needed.”
The fact that a prominent local physician is leading the project is icing on the cake.
“It is a plus every way we look at it,” Shomo said, citing the extensive renovations Kastelic completed.
The upgrade continues to improve the neighborhood that includes Greater Johnstown Regional Technology Park, UPMC Cancer Center John Murtha Pavilion and a new Sheetz convenience store.
“You won’t recognize the place too much,” Kastelic said. “I want people to walk in and say, ‘Yes, I can live here.’ ”
Renovations were designed with a European villa theme, inspired by Villa D'Esta Tavern in Delmont, which his parents operated for more than 40 years.
Kastelic handpicked his staff to reflect his vision of a home that enhances the connection between the health care profession and its residents.
“I was looking for staff that love working in geriatrics and assisted living,” Kastelic said.
“They put their heart and soul into making this very special.”
Renovations include a chapel with pews and a capacity for 50 people, social parlor with old-fashioned games such as tabletop bowling and a juke- box, a beauty parlor and barbershop, small store and large social activities area.
There will also be exam and treatment rooms where physicians can care for patients without transporting them from their new home.
“Everything will be linked with the medical group here,” he said at the offices of Dr. Richard Kastelic & Associates, 322 Warren St. in Upper Yoder Township.
“We are going to them. It will have a fully functioning doctor’s office.”
Other physicians with patients living in The Villa are welcome to use the in-home doctor’s office, Kastelic said.
His experience with aging patients helped him come up The Villa’s business model.
“When my patients went into homes, I hated losing contact with them,” Kastelic said.
He plans to host residents in 35 private rooms, including some larger rooms for couples or siblings. Seventeen residents have already signed up.
